Machine for operating on heddles



R. P. DRAKE MACHINE FOR OPERATING ON HEDDLES Dec. 28, 1948.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov..50, 1945 I INVENTOR. I

LII

Ru ssell A BY 4,19

ATTORNEY-6 I 1948- R. P. DRAKE 2,457,649

MACHINE FOR OPERATING ON HEDDLES Filed Now :50, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Russ ell P. .Dka/(e v j ATTORNE Y5 F'atented Dec. 28, 1948 MACHINE FOR OPERATING ONHEDDLES Russell P. Drake, Caledonia, Ill., assigno r to' Barber-Colman Company, Rockford; 111., a-cor poration of Illinois Application November 30, 1945, Serial-N. 631,994

13 Claims.

The invention pertains to anrachine for operating upon heddles such asare' used in loom harnesses or similar elements, and it has particular reference to a machine for operating upon steel heddles wherein a stack of heddlesslidably supported in a heddle frame is successively released through the operation of apower driven. shaft known as a release Key shaft. 7

Steel heddles are commonly provided withcentrally disposed apertures for the'passage of the release key shaft, the slots being of keyhole shape for coaction with-a key element on the shaft in effecting the successive release of the heddlesin a warp drawing-in machine. The heddles: as'suppliedby the manufacturer are intended to'be so arranged'that the slots of adjacent heddles extend in diametrically opposite directions with respect to the release key shaft so that in succes sive half revolutions of the shaft the'heddle's are released one by one. It frequently happens; .how-

ever, that one or more of the heddles thus supplied are improperly positioned in'the sta'ckse that instead of releasing one heddie": at. a time, two or more heddles may be'released'.

The primary object of the present inventionris to provide in a. machine for operatingonheddl'es means responsive to the release of. more than'one heddle and operative to. interrupt the. operation of the releasing means so that the improperly positioned hed'clle can be removed;

A furtherobject'is to providea detecting means of the character, set forth. in a machine for operating upon the heddles preliminary to their transfer to a warp drawing-in machine'and equipped with a. counting mechanism so arranged as' to eat-- forda. direct reading in terms of the number of heddles released.

An ancillary object is toprovideav detecting means of the character aforesaid which is-simple and effectual in operationand-Will not: retard the heddle counting operation. V

The objects of the invention thu-s generallyset forth, together with other and ancillary advanrtages, are attained by the construction and. ar rangement shown byway of illustrationin the acccmpanying drawings, in which:v

; Figure l is aira'gmentary side eleva-tional View of a'heddle counter'embodying my; invention.

' Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the counter with a portion of the cover for the driving motor broken away. to'expose the control means.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the control means on a somewhat-enlarged-scale, the cov-er being re moved. I

Fig. 4 is a horizontal seetionalview on an -en- .2 large'd scale taken-approximately in: the plane of line l"4 of 2.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary verticalasectional view taken approximately in the plane of line 5#-5 of'Fig. 4.

Fig. 1 6 is: a horizontal sectional view taken in the plane of line-6+8 ofFig. 2 but on an enlarged scale.

Fig. Tie-afragmenta-ry perspective view of a group of "heddles shown in separatedrelation'a'nd illustrating the normal staggered relation oi tlie keyhole slots in adjacent heddles.

In the present illustrative embodiment;- my im vention is-applied to aheddle counter comprising an upright main -fr'am'e a'u on which'a he'd-- dle frame Sisadaptd to be supported through the medium of'pins H1 at opposite ends of a cross bar H. Atthe upper end'o'f the frame-is a's-upporting plate I2 carrying'a drive mechanism for a shaft l3 equipped with a chuck I4 in which is mounted a rotatablerelease key shaft IS. The heddle'frame"Q carries a stack of heddles I6 slidably supported at-theiropposite ends and provided with central apertures I'I commonly in the formofkeyhole'slots. As shown in Fig. 'l, the slots of adjacent heddles are staggered with respect to each other so that' the narrow portions thereof project in opposite directions. The

release'key shaft I5 is inserted throughalined apertures IT in the-stack of heddles and the.

upper end'of the key fastened in the chuck H.

The lower end ofthe key shaft is equipped with a spiral element or key l8 (Fig. 5) operative in a well known manner to release the heddles one at a time in the rotation ofth'esh'a'ft; the arrangement being such that in each half revolution of the shaft a heddl'e is released. nates a hacker also slidably supported in the heddleframeand serving to press the heddles down wardly against thekey; v

The drive. mechanism comprises. an electric motor having a-drive shaft 2'! (Fig. 6) operating through gearing contained in a casing. 22 to drive the release .key shaft l5 and also a coun ter 23. As shown in Fig. 6. the drive shaft. 21- earries a pinion Mmeshing with a gear 25 having a pinion v25 rigid-therewith and rneshingtwith a. gear 21- on the shaft l3. A parallel. shaft- 28 carries ag'ear 28 meshing with the gear 21- This shaft 28-constitutes. the drive shaft for the (munter 2%, the connection with the countershaft. being through the medium of bevel gearing. (Fig. 1). It will understood that upon rotation of the release key shaft t5 heddles are re-" leased at spaced intervals, one heddle being released at a time provided the heddles are properly arranged in the manner shown in Fig. '7 with the narrow portions of the keyhole slots l l oppositely disposed. Having in view the fact that the heddles supplied by the manufacturer are sometimes improperly arranged so that the keyhole slots of one or more adjacent heddles register with each other instead of being oppositely disposed as shown in Fig. '7, means is provided in accordance with the present invention for detecting the simultaneous release of two or more heddles. For this purpose, a support in the form of a slide 3! is arranged for operation in timed relation to the rotation of the release key'shaft l5 so as to intercept the heddles upon release for a short interval of time, and associated with this slide is a feeler mechanism generally designated 32 for detecting the presence on the support of more than one heddle, the feeler mechanism being unresponsive to the deposit onto the support of a single heddle in the normal. operation of the machine. Moreovencontrol means is provided which is operative in response to the actuation of the feeler mechanism to interrupt the operation of. the drive mechanism so that the attendantcan break out or remove the improperly poisitioned heddle or heddles, as the case maybe.

In the present illustrative embodiment of the invention, the slide 3! is guided in ways 33 for movement in a direction perpendicular to the heddle release shaft [5 and in a plane immediately below the spiral key [8 (Fig. 5). As shown, the slide 3| has a lateral enlargement 34 at its forward. end so as to provide a broad surface lengthwise of the heddle and movable into position. beneath the stack of heddles in the heddle frame, the slide being provided with a slot 35 for the reception of the key shaft I5 as the slide is movedforwardly into position to intercept the heddles upon release by the key .I 8. V 1

The slide is arranged for reciprocation by means of a cam 36 acting upon a lever 3'! openatively associated with the slide. The cam is inthe form of a disk fast on a driven shaft 38 and having a cam groove 39 for the reception of a roller follower 40 on,the lever 31. The lever is pivoted at 4! andits connection with the slide is through the medium of a pin and slot connection 42. The cam audits associated parts may be supported upon the main frame inany suitable way. Herein a bracket 43 is mounted on the main frame for this purpose. This bracket is provided with guide bars 44 forming the ways 33 so that the slide 3| is also mounted on the bracket. I The cam shaft 38 extends upwardly (Fig. 2)

'for association with the drive mechanism at the upper end of the frame. As shown in Fig. 6, the shaft carries at its upper end a gear 45 meshing with the gear 21 on the shaft l3, the gear 45 beingenclosed in the gear casing 22. The gear 45 has a 2:1 ratio with the gear 21 so that the cam shaft is driven through a complete revo lution for each one-half revolution of the release key.

It will be understood that in the operationof the counter the slide is actuated by the cam 36 so as to carry the forward portion 34 of theslide into position between the stack of heddles so as to be capable of intercepting the heddles upon release by the key iii. For this purpose, the cam groove 39 is shaped so asto impart an initial advancing movement to the slide sufiicient to carry the leading edge portion 34 into the position indicated at 34a in Fig. 5. v 4 I 3 4 The feeler mechanism 32 comprises a lever 91' 46 pivotally mounted on the slide so as to be movable therewith and carrying at its forward end a feeler element in the form of a roller 47 for 00- action with the heddle or heddles deposited upon the slide. As shown (Fig. 4) the arm 46 is mounted on'a web shaft 48carried by the slide and urged by a'torsion spring 49 in a direction to swing the arm 46 downwardly.

Following the initial advance of the slide into the position 34a an additional advancing movement is imparted thereto by the cam 36 (the cam groove 39 being appropriately shaped) so as to carry the roller 41 into feelin position with respect to theheddle or heddles temporarily resting upon the slide, it being observed that the heddles are held stationary durin the advance of the slide by the lower projecting end of the shaft l5 passing through the aperture I l of the heddle. Normally, that is to say, when a single heddle is positioned on the slide, the feeler roller 41, is ineffective. For this purpose, the roller is supported in an elevated position with respect to the slide so as to be capable of clearing a single heddle resting thereon. :This is accomplished in the present instance by means of a depending portion or lug 50 rigid with the arm 46 and resting upon the slide. When two or more heddles have been released simultaneously and rest upon the slide, the roller becomes effective to impart a swinging movement to the lever which movement is utilized to interrupt the operation of the drive mechanism. I

The control means whereby the drive mech-.

anism is stopped by the operation of the feeler mechanism comprises in the present instance a switch 5| arranged for actuation by a plunger 52 slidably supported in the bracket 43 and underlying the rear or outer end portion of an arm 52a rigid with the shaft 48 and therefore with the lever arm 46. The switch is arranged to interrupt the circuit to the motor and at the same time control the operation of a brake mechanism generally designated 53 (Figs. 2 and 3) associated with the drive ,mechanism. This brake mechanism may be of any suitable or preferred character. By way of example, it may comprise. a brake disk 54 rigid with the .motor shaft 2! and coacting brake shoes 55 arranged for actuation by a spring 56. and held in disengaged position by a detent 51. The switch 5| is connected in series with a solenoid 58 which is normally energized, the arrangement being such that when the switch is opened and the solenoid deenergized, the detent 51 is actuated to release the brake shoes to the action of the spring 56. y

In the operation of thecounter, a heddle frame containing a stack of heddles is placed upon the main supporting frame 9 so as to be suspended from the pins l 0 and the release key shaft IS in:

serted through the alined apertures ll of the heddles and then fastened in the chuck I4 of tion'of the shaft I5 and in the interval'occur ring between successive releases, the slide 3] is actuated'first'to carry its leading edge portion.

34' into position beneath" the stack-r or lieddl'es $0113 to' be: capable: of: intercepting. the heddle next: to: be: released, thereupon is advanced still fin-then so as to carry the ieeler roller 41 of the detecting: mechanism; 32 forwardly overJthe re.- lnsedheddie, and finally retracted to drop' the heddle. In its: advance into feeling position the roller'isisupported in spaced relation to theslide so as to clear the heddle, assuming that only one has-been dropped under the slide. Ii; however, one or more adjacent heddles have been improperly arranged in the. stack with respect to each; other so that their apertures are in register withieach other instead. of: alternatin'gras shown in 7, the feeler mechanism operates in the anal: advanceo'f. the slide. to engagethe uppermost heddle. This will cause the lever: 461 to swing on its pivot 48, depressing the plunger 52 and operating. the switch: '5 I When this occurs, the brake 53 is applied to stop the drive mechanism, this occurring in the present instance through the opening of the switch 51 and deenergization of. the solenoid 58 with. a resultant release" of the brakeshoes to the operation or the spring 56. With the counter thus brought to: rest; the: improperly positioned heddle or heddles, as the case may be, are removed by the operator and the starting switch to the drive motorthenclosed to continue the operation.

It will be seen that through the use of a mechanism for detecting the simultaneous release of more than one heddle not only'ar'e the heddles counted accurately but improperly arranged heddles: are detected, therebyinsuring that when the heddle frame isv placed in a warp drawing machine preliminary to its use in the loom the individual heddles will be properly arranged f'or successive release byvthe release zmecha'nismmof the warp drawing-in machine.

I claim as my invention:

1. A heddle counter comprising, in combination, a stationary upright frame adapted to support a heddle frame slidably supporting a stack of heddles having alined apertures, a shaft adapted for insertion through the alined apertures of the stack of heddles and having means operative upon rotation to release said heddles one by one, heddle counting means actuated in timed relation to said shaft, and means for detecting the simultaneous release of more than one heddle comprising a member reciprocable transversely of the release key, cam means operating in timed relation to the rotation of the release key to reciprocate said member into a position to receive the heddles upon release by said key and thence reversely to release the heddles, means operative while the heddles are supported on said member to detect the presence of a plurality of heddles thereon, and means controlled by the last mentioned means in response to the detection of a plurality of heddles to stop rotation of the release key.

2. In a heddle counter having means supporting a heddle frame in upright position with a stack of heddles slidably supported in the frame, motor driven means operative to release said heddles from said stack one by one, heddle counting means actuated by said motor driven means, means actuated by said motor driven means operative to interrupt the heddles upon release and supporting the same for a predetermined interval of time, and feeler means responsive to the presence of more than one heddle on such support to interrupt the operation of said releasing means.

3. In a heddle counter having means for supportlnglaaheddle freme inupright position twithza stock of heddles slidabl'eiin the frame, means "for releasing the" heddles from said: stack soi to cause them to drop by: gravity: one by on'e includ inga. continuously rotatingi shaft operative: to release heddles. one :by one :and at predetermined intervals, heddle'counting means connected with said: shaft, feeler: means operative. in each such interval to detect the release of more than: one heddle, vmid means: controlled by saidfeeler means for interrupting the operation or" said releasingimeans;

4cm an: apparatus of the character setforth, means-ior supporting: azheddle'frame in upright position with a stack of heddles slidably: supported in theriramupowei' driven means. opera,- tiveto release saidl heddles from :said stacleone by: one, means operative in timed relation ZtDlllhB release-oi the heddles-to intercept thesame temporarily, feeler means operative: to detect the simultaneous: release of more than one heddle, and means controlled: 'by' said: feeler means. for stopping said releasing means.

5. Inan apparatus-"of the character set forth, mean-s supporting aaheddlezframe in upright pp;- sition with: a staclci of heddles slidablyzsupported in. the: frame, motor :driven means operative: to releasesaidiheddles from said cnezhy and means operativexin: timed relation: said releasing means and responsive. to the. releaseof two. or more heddiesi to open circuit; toithe motor and to stop thezrotatiorr of themotor.

6. The combination of: means supporting :a had:- -dle frame inupriglit position with astack UTE-118d dles supported in the frame, means operative to release said? heddles? :byr-one from: "the stack, a slide reciprocable in timed relzztionito; the-meof the heddles and operatiue in: therinterval between theirelease of successive heddles to; in:- tercept temporarily the released heddles, feeler means operative in the movement of said slide to detect the interception of more than one heddle, and means operative by such feeler means for preventing the release of succeeding heddles.

7. The combination of means for supporting a heddle frame with a pack of heddles slidably supported in the frame, means normally operative to release said heddles from said pack one by one, a slide supported for reciprocation into position to stop the heddles upon their release, cam means operative in timed relation to the heddle releasing means for reciprocating said slide, and feeler means operative in the movement of the slide to detect the simultaneous release of more than one heddle.

8. The combination of means for supporting a heddle frame with a pack of heddles slidably supported in the frame, means normally operative to release said heddles from said pack one by one, a slide supported for reciprocation into position to interrupt the heddles upon their release, cam means operative in timed relation to the heddle releasing means for reciprocating said slide and feeler means actuated by the slide to detect the simultaneous release of more than one heddle, said feeler means comprising a member pivotally mounted on said slide, and a feeler element on said member normally supported in spaced relation thereto a distance approximately corresponding to the thickness of a single heddle lation, a shaft inserted through the alined apertures in the heddles andlhav'ing akey thereon operative in each half revolution of the. shaft to release a heddle, means for driving .said shaft continuously, and means drivenxin timed relation to the rotation of saidshaftandoperative to detect a heddle improperly positioned in the frame with its keyhole in registry with that of the next preceding heddle.

10. In a machine for operating upon a stack of heddles slidably supported in a heddleframe and having alined keyhole slots with the heddles normally disposed so that slots of adjacent heddles project in opposite directions, '-a shaft threaded through said holes and having a release key thereon operative in the rotation of the shaft to release heddles successively, means operating in timed relation to the rotation of said shaft for intercepting the heddles upon release .by said key, and feeler means operative to detect'the simultaneous release of two or more heddles having their keyhole slots in registering relation.

11. In a machine for operating upon a stack o heddles slida bly supported in a heddle frame and having alined keyhole slots with the heddles normally disposed so that slots of adjacent heddles project in opposite directions, a shaft threaded through said holes and having a release key thereon operative in the rotation of the shaft to release heddles successively, means operating in timed relation to the rotation of said shaft for intercepting the heddles upon release bysaid key, feeler means operative to detect the simultaneous release of two or more heddles having'their keyhole slots in registering relation, and means operative by said detecting means for interrupting the rotation of said shaft.

12. In a machine of the character set forth,

means for releasing heddles one by one from a 8 slidably supported stack, including a continuously-rotating shaft perpendicular to the'heddles a slide reciprocable transversely ofsaid shaftyand operative upon the release of eheddlesifrom [said stack into a position to intercept the same;.:an'd means operativein the movement of said slide into said intercepting position to detect simultaneous release onto the slide-of .a pluralityfof heddles. l 1 1, 1, :1: i

.13.In' a machine of the" character setvfortli, means for releasing heddles one by-one fromwa 'slidably supported stack, including a continuous;-

ly rotating shaft, a slide reciprocabletransversely oft-said shaft andoperative uponwthe releaseiiof heddles from said stack to interceptthe samejand means operative tojdetect simultaneous release onto said slide of a plurality of heddles including a feeler mounted on the slide. andcam: means for reciprocating the slide and operative initially to-advancethe slide into its said intercepting positionand upon the interception of the g-released heddles to continue theadvance oftheslideyto,

carry. said feeler intotan advanced positioniover the intercepted heddles, and control meansvfor said shaft actuated .by said feeler.

REFERENCES CITED f:

The following references are of recordi the file of'this patent: 1

UNITED STATES ,PA'IIENTSZL T Number Name 673,114 Dexter ';-'Apr."30;"1901 1,215,789 Field et al. v Feb-11 3, 191 7 7 1,848,827 Fink Vlar; s, 1932 2,175,910 Peterson; Oct. 1O, 1 939 2,354,482

Sandberg July- 25, 1944 

